Watery eyes

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External and internal eye anatomy

Watery eyes occur when there is too much tear production or poor drainage of the tear duct.

Epiphora; Tearing - increased

Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of the eye and to wash away particles and foreign bodies.

Causes of watery eyes include:

• Allergy to mold, dander, dust
• Blepharitis
• Blockage of the tear duct
• Conjunctivitis
• Environmental irritants (smog or chemicals in the air, wind, strong light, blowing dust)
• Eyelid turning inward or outward
• Foreign bodies and abrasions
• Infection
• Inward-growing eyelashes
• Irritation

Increased tearing sometimes accompanies:

• Eyestrain
• Laughing
• Vomiting
• Yawning

Oddly enough, one of the most common causes of excess tearing is dry eyes. Drying causes the eyes to become uncomfortable, which stimulates the body to produce too many tears. One of the main tests for tearing is to check whether the eyes are too dry.

Review Date: 11/02/2009
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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